CITY MAN, 25, ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING POLICE

staff reportsTHE HARTFORD COURANT

A 25-year-old city man accused of punching and kicking officers as they tried to handcuff him in connection with motor vehicle violations will also be charged with three counts of assault on police and escape from custody, police said.

Ivory Ager, 46 Vine St., was driving a red Nissan when police stopped his car on suspicion of motor vehicle violations about 12:14 a.m. in the area of Myrtle and Spruce streets. Police did not say what the suspected motor vehicle violations were.

Ager was placed in the rear of a police cruiser while Officer Garth Perri tried to identify him, because he could not produce any identification, Lt. Robert Rudewicz said.

Once police checked the car's registration, officers said they learned the driver was wanted on four outstanding arrest warrants involving nonviolent offenses.

As Perri opened the rear door of the cruiser and asked Ager to turn his back to him so he could handcuff him, Ager ran out of the car, struck Perri, and wrestled with Officer Darren Besse, who had come to assist.

At one point, Ager was reaching for Perri's handgun, police said. Other officers wrestled with Ager and he was taken into custody.

Ager was taken to Hartford Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the struggle, police said. He was admitted to the hospital and was in stable condition Friday, a hospital spokeswoman said. Police said they plan to seek a warrant for Ager's arrest.